LOCAL MP Edward Timpson is backing plans to scrap the ‘licence to teach’.

Current Government proposals mean that teachers who fail regular checks will be banned from the classroom.

But they face strong criticism from teachers’ unions.

NASWUT General Secretary, Chris Keates, says: “Teachers feel that it’s going to be another stick to beat them with.”

The Conservative Party has also criticised the plans and pledged to scrap them if they become the next Government.

Mr Timpson said: “The last thing teachers need is more red tape. We should trust them to do their job.”

Mr Timpson also highlighted his party’s plans to restore powers and authority to teachers after a survey by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers found that one in four teachers had faced violence in the classroom.

He said: “We need to give teachers the power to remove disruptive pupils, to search for and ban items of contraband, and put the law back on their side.”